Unbeaten pair clash in top-of-the-table match

By CHRIS RATTUE

It will be the battle of the pacesetters when Counties Manukau take on champions Hawkes Bay in the NPC second division today.

Steelers coach Bruce Robertson is not writing off a number of teams, but today's match could well determine who gets the all-important home advantage in the semifinals.

"Home advantage is what the teams are chasing in all the divisions," said Robertson, "but I wouldn't like to say it's down to just two teams in this division.

"Manawatu are lurking there, Marlborough thrashed East Coast last week, and you wouldn't want to write off East Coast either."



Hawkes Bay and Counties Manukau are the only unbeaten teams after three rounds.

Hawkes Bay beat East Coast in last year's final but were well beaten by Bay of Plenty in the promotion-relegation match. Since the Central Vikings were disbanded, Hawkes Bay have finished fourth and second but then lost in the semifinals, before taking out the title last year.

In other games today, East Coast play Nelson Bays in Ruatoria, Mid Canterbury face Thames Valley in Ashburton and Marlborough tackle Manawatu in Blenheim.

In the third division, Buller host Wairarapa-Bush in Westport, Poverty Bay entertain King Country in Gisborne, Horowhenua-Kapiti play North Otago at Paraparaumu and Wanganui face South Canterbury at home.

Hawkes Bay: Sefalu Gau Gau, Ray Karauria, Sam Leung-Wai, Frank Walker, Jacob Kennedy, Tim Manawatu, Donovan Hall; Mutu Ngarimu (c), David Gower, Michael Johnson, Mark Atkinson, Lua Lokatui, Tom Symes, Mahonri Schwalger, Peter Bielski.

Res: Danny Logan, Clint Newland, Saiosi Vaili, Exham Winchman; Jason Bird, Richard Kinnear, Davis Norman.

Counties-Manukau: Amasio Valence, Mark Lawson, Casey Laulala, Niva Ta'auso, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Kevin Senio; Dion Kingi, Wayne McEntee (c), Kristian Ormsby, Semesi Saukawa, Ramon Lindsay, Alan McLean, Grant Henson, Dave Stewart.

Res: Likisone Misa, Tume Maka/Josh Heke, Robert Afoa-Peterson, Craig Glendinning; Kevin Farrell, Quentin Sanft, Gus Leger.

Referee: Steve Walsh (North Harbour). Kickoff: 2.30pm